Police didn’t respond to 2,000 anti-social behaviour calls a DAY last year

More than 2,000 complaints about anti-social behaviour went unanswered by police each DAY last year – with an alarming 4.3 million cases over five years, data shows.

Figures released by the Lib Dems reveal that in 2020 alone 860,000 incidents of anti-social behaviour went unattended by a police officer.

Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey accused the Government of being “out of control” of anti-social behaviour.

Using figures obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, the party found that in some areas police do not respond to such calls 80% of the time.

Sir Ed said: “It’s clear this Government has lost control of anti-social behaviour – and it’s only getting worse.

“Too many communities are being plagued by anti-social behaviour, with criminals being allowed to act with impunity while victims are left afraid to walk down their own street.

“People should be able to feel that if they fall victim to anti-social behaviour, it will be taken seriously and police will attend.

“Instead of more empty promises, it’s time for the Government to finally commit to proper community policing – where offices are visible, trusted, and able to tackle neighbourhood crime. It cannot wait any longer.”

Of the 38 police forces who submitted full responses, the worst performers last year were Avon & Somerset and Cambridgeshire – with 81% and 80% of anti-social behaviour reports going unattended respectively.

A Home Office spokesman said: “There is no such thing as petty crime – anti-social behaviour causes misery to neighbourhoods up and down the country and is often a gateway into committing other serious crimes, which is why we have launched our Antisocial Behaviour Action Plan.

“We are supporting the police with record funding to protect the public and clamp down on crime, and recent Crime Survey figures show that neighbourhood crime has decreased by 22% since March 2020.

“And although we await the final data, we remain confident we will have delivered on the government’s manifesto commitment to recruit 20,000 additional officers by the end of March 2023.”